Can't come to the library? Add a designated borrower to your library account!
A designated borrower is a trusted person you indicate can borrow materials under your library card number. This is a great feature to use if you're unable to come into the library physically but want to check out materials that aren't normally available through our digital collections. Just ask staff at any location to add this to your account or email us: eAnswers@oaklandlibrary.org.
Once you have added a designated borrower, go ahead and browse our online catalogue, place a hold on the item you want, and ask your friend, family member, or caregiver to pick up the hold for you. Easy-peasy!
Don't want to wait to use Your Library? Apply for a free library card online to start checking out items from our digital collections such as eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and more!
Looking for additional accessibility or disability services?
Check out our Accessibility page and FAQ's.
Accessibility FAQ's
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OPL program locations are wheelchair accessible. To request disability-related accommodations or to request American Sign Language (ASL), or other forms of interpretation, please call the event contact, or 510-238-3254 (TTY) at least five (5) working days before the event. Please refrain from wearing scented products as a courtesy to attendees with chemical sensitivities. //
Las sucursales con eventos de OPL tienen accesibilidad para sillas de ruedas. Para solicitar adaptaciones relacionadas con discapacidades o para solicitar lenguaje de señas americano (ASL) u otras formas de interpretación por favor de comunicarse al contacto del evento o al (510) 238-3254 (TTY) al menos cinco (5) días laborales antes del evento. Por favor absténgase de usar productos perfumados como cortesía a los asistentes con sensibilidades químicas. //
OPL 活動地點可供輪椅通行。如想要求為殘疾人士提供服務， 或美國手語 (ASL)服務，或其他語言翻譯服務，請至少在五 (5) 個工作天前致電(510) 238-3254 (TTY) 。 為考慮對化學品敏感的與會者的需求，參加活動時請勿佩戴有氣味的產品。
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Bathrooms are for all genders at these locations:
- Dimond Branch
- Eastmont Branch
- Elmhurst Branch
- Golden Gate Branch
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch
- Melrose Branch
- Montclair Branch
- Piedmont Branch
- Rockridge Branch
- Temescal Branch
81st Avenue Branch has one all gender bathroom and four gender-specific bathrooms.
Main Library has all gender bathrooms on the basement level and gender-specific bathrooms on the mezzanine.
These locations have Men's and Women's bathrooms:
- African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO)
- Brookfield Branch
- Chávez Branch
- West Oakland Branch
At these locations, staff can provide directions to nearby public bathrooms, which are gender-specific:
- Asian Branch
- Lakeview Branch
At the Tool Lending Library, staff can provide directions to nearby public bathrooms, which are for all genders.
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You can add a designated borrower to have someone check out for you. Ask staff at any location to add this to your account.
If you are not able to come to the library because of a disability and want to apply for Extended Services, contact staff at any location.
You can use the Oakland Public Library from anywhere you have internet access. You can sign up for a library card online, then download or stream digital books and movies, watch our online programs, get book recommendations, and so much more from home!
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If you are a person with a disability, please ask library staff about getting Extended Services.
If you can't come to a Library in person to pick up your library card, contact Mana Tominaga, Extended Services Coordinator, at (510) 238-6611 or mtominaga@oaklandlibrary.org.
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Extended Services for People with Disabilities includes the following:
- More time with materials. You can keep materials for six weeks, not just three. You can also renew materials six times, not just three.
- More holds. You can place 30 holds at a time, not just 15.
- Answers at your home. We will mail or fax answers to "ready reference" questions to your home.
Add a comment to: #TipTuesday: Have a Friend Pick Up Your Holds as a Designated Borrower